Fluid system

ABSTRACT

A cylindrical tank, within which there is a ball float actuated water make-up valve, is supported on a saddle that is attached to a single pedestal fixed to a base. The base supports a pump connected fluidly to the tank by piping which includes a strainer and shut-off valve. A hinged cover on an acess opening in the tank affords access to the valve within the tank.

United States Patent [191 Coletta 1 Oct. 2, 1973 1 FLUID SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Edward A. Coletta, 465 Colonial Dr., Monroeville, Pa. 15146 [22] Filed: Mar. 14, 1972 [211 Appl. No.: 234,511

52 [1.8. CI. 222/185 [51] 1111.01 ..B67d 5/60 1581 Field of Search ZZZ/173,180,181,

222/185, 67; 220/55 N, 55 F, 55 8-55 D; 248/146; 292/218, DIG. 48, DIG. 5O

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,206,077 9/1965 Fetterman 222/173 X 1,635,190 7/1927 -Michallat i i 222/529 X 803,722 11/1905 Smith 222/67 964,354 7/1910 Williams 1. 248/311 X 643,298 2/1900 Lampitt ct a1. 248/154 X 3,693,220 9/1972 Pabich et al. 292/218 X Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examincr lohn P. Shannon Attorney-Sherman H. Barber [57] ABSTRACT A cylindrical tank, within which there is a ball float ac tuated water make-up valve, is supported on a saddle that is attached to a single pedestal fixed to a base. The base supports a pump connected lfluidly to the tank by piping which includes a strainer and shut-off valve. A hinged cover on an acess opening in the tank affords access to the valve within the tank.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures FLUID SYSTEM SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A fluid system in accordance with the invention includes a cylindrical tank having flat ends to one of which is mounted a ball float actuated water make-up valve located within thetank. An access opening with hinged cover is provided in thetank wall for servicing the equipment within the tank.

The tank has a pair of Z-bar guides that cooperate with the edges of a saddle upon which the tank is supported. The saddle is mounted to a single pedestal that is fixed to a base. The base carries a pump that is fluidly connected to the tank by piping in which there is a conventional strainer and shut-off valve.

For a further understanding of the invention reference may be made to the following description of an embodiment of the invention and to the drawing which shows the embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of the apparatus in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line lV-IV of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, a system in accordance with the invention includes a cylindrical tank 5 having a side wall 6 and end walls 7,8, is supported in a horizontal position upon an arcuate saddle 3 fixed to the upper end of a tubular pedestal 2. The pedestal 2 is fixed at its lower end to a channel shaped base 1 on which is mounted a conventional water pump 20. the closed The cylindrical tank 5 is provided with an opening 12 in the side wall 6 about where shown, and an arcuate plate 10, that is hinged as at 14 to the side wall 6, is provided with a slot 18 of elongate shape. The hinged plate covers the opening 12 and a suitable stud 16 is secured to the side wall 6 so that it projects through the slot 18 when the hinged plate covers the opening 12. A wing nut 9 or any other type of nut is screwed onto the stud to secure the cover 12 in the closed position. Thus, by merely removing the wing nut 9, access is gained to the interior of the tank 5 in cases of necessity quickly and easily. I

The cylindrical tank 5 is fitted with a water make-up valve 22 and actuating ball float 24; the valve and ball float being mounted to the end wall 8 as shown in FIG. 2. It will be noted that the water make-up valve 22 and the float 24 are conveniently located beneath the hinged arcuate plate 10. Thus, the internally mounted equipment is readily serviceable through the opening l2 in the tank wall 6.

The water make-up valve 22 is fluidly connected to a nipple 28 or the like mounted in the end wall 8 so that a conventional water conduit may be connected to the nipple to deliver water to the tank 5.

The side wall 6 is provided with a pair of Z-bar elongate members 30,32 which are disposed on the tank wall 6 so as to cooperate with the longitudinal edges of the saddle 3, as suggested in FIG. 3. While there is usually no connecting or fastening member between the saddle and the Z-bar members, nevertheless those skilled in the art will understand that suitable fasteners may be used if desired.

Upon the base 1, the pump 20 is mounted in a fixed location and piping 34 is provided between the tank 5 and a conventional strainer 36 that is fluidly connected to the pump suction. A shut-off valve 38 of conventional design is also provided in the piping 34 to control the flow of fluid from the tank 5.

In operation, the tank receives fluid such as condensate through a connection 40 in the top of the tank and the air in the tank is vented to the atmosphere through a vent connection 42 similarly located.

The fluid level in the tank is automatically controlled by the ball float actuated water make-up valve. That is to say, if insufficient condensate returns to the tank through the connection 40, then additional fluid flows into the tank through connection 28 and the valve 22.

The pump circulates fluid from the tank to a closed system and the valve 38 can be closed when necessary or desireable to stop the flow of fluid to the tank. pump. the tank Whenever it is necessary or desireable to adjust or to service the make-up valve or to wash out the interior of the tank, the wing nut may be removed and the hinged plate pivoted out of the way, thereby affording access to the interior of the tank.

From the foregoing description of an embodiment of the invention those skilled in the art will recognize many important features and advantages thereof among which the following are particularly significant:

That the tank has a hinged cover over an access opening which affords quick and ready access to apparatus within the tank whenever service of such apparatus is necessary or desireable;

That the tank is mounted to a single pedestal which holds the tank in an elevated position and gives ready access all around to the equipment mounted to the base to which the pedestal is fixed. Thus, service of the equipment mounted to the base is easier and more convenient; and

That the tank is slide-mounted to the supporting saddle and, therefore, the tank can be readily and quickly removed whenever it is desireable or necessary.

Although the invention has been described herein with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the scope of the invention is defined by what is hereafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A fluid system comprising in combination:

a. a cylindrical tank having a side wall and opposite end walls;

b. an aperture in said side wall;

c. means hingedly connected to said side wall covering said aperture;

d. valve means mounted within said tank and actuated by a ball float therewithin;

e. means carrying fluid into said tank through said valve means;

f. a saddle mounted to a tubular member supported by a base;

g. Z-bar means on said tank that cooperate with said saddle for supporting said tank;

h. pump means mounted to said base;

i. fluid means connecting said tank and said pump means for moving fluid from said tank;

3 4 j. means securing said hinged means in place over a. said means for securing said hinged means in a said aperture; and wing nut threaded onto a stud projecting through k, a condensate inlet connection and an air vent conan aperture in said hinged means when said cover nection fitted to said tank is over said aperture. 2. The invention of claim E wherein: 5 

1. A fluid system comprising in combination: a. a cylindrical tank having a side wall and opposite end walls; b. an aperture in said side wall; c. means hingedly connected to said side wall covering said aperture; d. valve means mounted within said tank and actuated by a ball float therewithin; e. means carrying fluid into said tank through said valve means; f. a saddle mounted to a tubular member supported by a base; g. Z-bar means on said tank that cooperate with said saddle for supporting said tank; h. pump means mounted to said base; i. fluid means connecting said tank and said pump means for moving fluid from said tank; j. means securing said hinged means in place over said aperture; and k. a condensate inlet connection and an air vent connection fitted to said tank.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein: a. said means for securing said hinged means in a wing nut threaded onto a stud projecting through an aperture in said hinged means when said cover is over said aperture. 